Search

ALBANY, N.Y. – Two-time defending America East Champions University at Albany men’s basketball announced the addition of three Great Danes in the early signing period. Head coach Will Brown welcomes local products Joe Cremo and JP Honsinger, in addition to Kyle McKinley.

“I am very pleased with our early signing class,” said Brown. “We have added character, talent, skill and toughness to our program. All three student-athletes will help our program continue to succeed in the classroom, on the court and in the community.”

The class of 2015 includes local Albany products, as well as one player from Minnesota for the second straight year.

Joe Cremo | G | 6-4 | Scotia, N.Y./Scotia-Glenville

Cremo verbally committed to the Great Danes early in 2013. He guided Scotia to the Section II Class A Championship in 2013-14, averaging 25.4 points per game, 12.1 rebounds per game and 5.3 assists per game. Cremo was also named the New York State Class A Player of the Year. He averaged a double-double as well as five assists per game for a Tartans team that went 27-0. Cremo joins former CBA standout and Schenectady native Greig Stire as a local capital region Great Dane.

BROWN ON CREMO: “We are excited to add another local talent to our program. Joe has enjoyed a lot of success at Scotia under the guidance of Head Coach Jim Giammattei. Joe has a very high basketball IQ and is the ultimate “Gym Rat.” I really like his versatility. He is known as a scorer, but I have been very impressed with his court vision and passing ability. We expect Joe to be a guy who can play multiple positions for us. Joe is a winner.”

Kyle McKinley | C | 6-10 | 210 | Stillwater, Minn./Stillwater

McKinley becomes UAlbany’s second Minnesota commitment in the last two seasons, following up Minneapolis freshman guard Wheeler Baker. McKinley comes from a storied boys basketball program at Stillwater, earning 13 Section 4AAAA Championships. McKinley played his AAU ball for the Minnesota Magic and Net Gain, earning Second Team All-AAU Honors. He was also named to the Suburban East All-Conference Team.

BROWN ON MCKINLEY: “One of our goals was to add size to our current roster and we feel that we got a good one in Kyle. Kyle is a legit 6-10 skilled big man. He can run and jump, has a great touch facing the basket and with his back to the basket. He will also provide us with a shot blocking presence in the middle. With added strength he will have a chance to be a force in our program and a very good big man at our level. The sky is the limit for Kyle.”

JP Honsinger | PG | 5-0 | Clifton Park, N.Y./Acadia Middle School

Honsinger joins the Great Danes as a five-star point guard out of Clifton Park, N.Y. The sixth-grader inks his National Letter of Intent after being diagnosed with Niemann-Pick disease Type C, an extremely rare and debilitating disease also known as childhood Alzheimer’s. The disease has no known cure. For more information about JP or to support his cause, visit www.jamminforjp.com.

BROWN ON HONSINGER: “At 11 years of age, JP is the youngest player we have ever signed. He is a lightning quick point guard with big time range on his jump shot. His is a pesky defender who has a tireless work ethic. As our point guard of the future we are going to rely on his exceptional leadership qualities. Nobody in the country will be signing a player with JP’s toughness. We are very fortunate to be able to sign JP during the early signing period as we feel he is a recruiting coup for us. His character and toughness will allow him to make an immediate impact in our program.”